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When the Pace Slows: An Emotional Slow-Burn Romance
Sometimes the bravest race is the one you don’t run.
Isaac Rivera was supposed to be on the podium.
After a career-saving surgery and a failed comeback race, the former collegiate track star arrives at Cloudrest Recovery Center, telling everyone he’s just here to reset and get faster. He doesn’t need rest. He doesn’t need reflection. And he definitely doesn’t need anyone’s sympathy.
Clara Merritt isn’t chasing anything.
Still grieving her sister’s sudden death, she’s spending a season at Cloudrest with her young niece, trying to build something steady out of what’s left. She’s spent months holding everything together—and she has no interest in getting pulled into someone else’s race.
But Isaac’s relentless drive unsettles her.
And Clara’s calm, unwavering presence unsettles him even more.
Because for the first time, someone is looking at Isaac without seeing rankings, records, or everything he’s lost.
As old dreams begin to pull him back toward the track, Isaac must decide what matters proving he still matters… or choosing a life that finally feels like his own.
At Cloudrest, healing doesn’t always mean getting back on track.
Sometimes it means discovering who you are when the pace slows.
When the Pace Slows is a closed-door, slow-burn sports romance featuring an injured athlete, a grieving guardian heroine, forced proximity at a cozy mountain retreat, found family, and a healing love story about learning who you are beyond the finish line.
Isaac Rivera was supposed to be on the podium.
After a career-saving surgery and a failed comeback race, the former collegiate track star arrives at Cloudrest Recovery Center, telling everyone he’s just here to reset and get faster. He doesn’t need rest. He doesn’t need reflection. And he definitely doesn’t need anyone’s sympathy.
Clara Merritt isn’t chasing anything.
Still grieving her sister’s sudden death, she’s spending a season at Cloudrest with her young niece, trying to build something steady out of what’s left. She’s spent months holding everything together—and she has no interest in getting pulled into someone else’s race.
But Isaac’s relentless drive unsettles her.
And Clara’s calm, unwavering presence unsettles him even more.
Because for the first time, someone is looking at Isaac without seeing rankings, records, or everything he’s lost.
As old dreams begin to pull him back toward the track, Isaac must decide what matters proving he still matters… or choosing a life that finally feels like his own.
At Cloudrest, healing doesn’t always mean getting back on track.
Sometimes it means discovering who you are when the pace slows.
When the Pace Slows is a closed-door, slow-burn sports romance featuring an injured athlete, a grieving guardian heroine, forced proximity at a cozy mountain retreat, found family, and a healing love story about learning who you are beyond the finish line.
188 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 27, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 30, 2026
While this one wasn’t my favorite of Briar Hope’s books, I still truly enjoyed reading it. The writing style felt a little different this time around and some of the sentences came across short and choppy, which made it harder for me to fully sink into and enjoy fully.
That said, the story itself really delivered. I loved the connection between the main characters and the journey of self-discovery woven throughout. One of my favorite aspects was seeing the female main character stand firm in her worth, refusing to let someone “settle” for her and choosing to be someone’s first choice and not an afterthought.
As always, Hope’s story made its way into my heart and left me smiling at the end.
That said, the story itself really delivered. I loved the connection between the main characters and the journey of self-discovery woven throughout. One of my favorite aspects was seeing the female main character stand firm in her worth, refusing to let someone “settle” for her and choosing to be someone’s first choice and not an afterthought.
As always, Hope’s story made its way into my heart and left me smiling at the end.
May 7, 2026
Another raw real romance in Cloudrest.
Clara and Isaac navigate through pain/ hurt/ being lost. Isaac is at a crossroads in his life with running. Will he ever recover or was it time for something new. But who was he without the race? Clara is rebuilding a life with her niece after the passing of her sister. She can’t afford to be anything but chosen.
Through the magic of cloudrest and rehabilitation- of more than just physical injury, along with an adorable girl Lucy, they find their rhythm.
A refreshing slow paced romance with a happily ever after.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Clara and Isaac navigate through pain/ hurt/ being lost. Isaac is at a crossroads in his life with running. Will he ever recover or was it time for something new. But who was he without the race? Clara is rebuilding a life with her niece after the passing of her sister. She can’t afford to be anything but chosen.
Through the magic of cloudrest and rehabilitation- of more than just physical injury, along with an adorable girl Lucy, they find their rhythm.
A refreshing slow paced romance with a happily ever after.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 3, 2026
Book 2 of Cloudrest Recovery Romances.
'A closed-door, slow-burn sports romance set in a cozy mountain retreat.
Forced proximity. Found family. And two people learning that staying only matters when it’s a choice.'
The characters were very appealing. Plot was intriguing. World building was solidly drawn. All in all a very good read. Recommend.
Grab a copy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
'A closed-door, slow-burn sports romance set in a cozy mountain retreat.
Forced proximity. Found family. And two people learning that staying only matters when it’s a choice.'
The characters were very appealing. Plot was intriguing. World building was solidly drawn. All in all a very good read. Recommend.
Grab a copy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 13, 2026
This sports recovery romance was a really enjoyable read, especially because of its slower and gentler pacing. The setting adds a lot to the atmosphere, and I liked that the relationship was given time to develop naturally instead of feeling rushed. Overall, it’s a calm and comforting romance with a nice emotional flow throughout.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 2, 2026
your own worth
Reading Clara and Isaac´s story sends us an important message: we tend to measure our own worth by what others think about us and I find it so sad it´s so hard for us to believe we all are worthy of love and support, no matter how successful or "useful" we are labeled.
Reading Clara and Isaac´s story sends us an important message: we tend to measure our own worth by what others think about us and I find it so sad it´s so hard for us to believe we all are worthy of love and support, no matter how successful or "useful" we are labeled.
April 29, 2026
Great read! I loved the characters! Great story line and plot. Isaac and Clara are great together.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews